Michael Brissenden presents AM Monday to Friday from 8:00am on ABC Local Radio and 7:10am on Radio National. Join Elizabeth Jackson for the Saturday edition at 8am on Local Radio and 7am on Radio National.

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Thursday 19 December 2002

AM is Australia's most informative morning current affairs. It covers the stories each morning that the other current affairs teams follow for the rest of the day. Below is the program summary with links to transcripts and audio (if available).

Max Moore-Wilton moves to Sydney Airport Corporation

Claims of a political ploy and conflict of interest are dogging Max Moore-Wilton, the man who's just stepped down as head of the Prime Minister's department. Mr Moore-Wilton has quickly found a new job. Early in the new year, he'll become the CEO and Executive Chairman of the Sydney Airports Corporation.

Max Moore-Wilton comments on move to SACL

Macquarie Group employs ex-public servants

Max-Moore Wilton will be joining a stable of politicians hired by Macquarie Bank and its spin-offs in the infrastructure business, raising further questions about whether the company is buying influence. But there's no doubt that he's also taking on a very tough job.

Article by Justice Dyson Heydon published

Commentators have been working overtime to categorise the Federal Government's latest appointee to the High Court, Justice Dyson Heydon, currently of the New South Wales Court of Appeal. This morning there's an insight into how he thinks, with the publication of an article written by the Judge.

UN condemns Australia's detention policy

A United Nations Working Group, which for years was barred access to Australia, has condemned the Federal Government's policy of detaining asylum seekers, describing it as contrary to accepted international standards and of an arbitrary nature. The Australian Government though has objected to the report.

Republican Movement adjusts its approach

Still struggling to regroup after the loss of the 1999 referendum, the Australian Republican Movement is set for a new push to win Australians to its cause. The movement is adjusting its approach, under a chairman only recently chosen, Professor of Politics at the Australian National University, John Warhurst.

US claim omissions in Iraq's weapons report

The governments of both the United States and Britain have cited Iraq for another violation of a United Nations' resolution. But while it appears that the two allies are steadily building their case for war, for the time being at least there's no rush to it.

South Korea goes to the polls

ATSIC vote results imminent

It's one of the toughest jobs in the country and later this morning in Melbourne, the new chairman of the most audited bureaucracy in the country, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, ATSIC, will be revealed. But it's a tense wait for the six candidates who have signalled their desire to head a body that has an annual budget of $1.1 billion.